Limerick TD issues warning and says he wants to see Irish culture 'protected'

LIMERICK County TD Richard O'Donoghue has said he wants to see Irish people and the nation's culture "protected", regardless of arrivals from different countries on these shores.

He warned that as things stand, Irish people could become a minority in their own culture in years to come.

The Independent Ireland TD made the comments outside Dail Eireann this Tuesday afternoon as he was taking questions around October's Presidential Election.

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He said that when people move to Ireland, they need to respect Irish culture in the same way, including religion.

"I want our own protected," he told reporters. "Ireland has a great culture. You go to Australia, you go anywhere, they love the Irish and our culture."

"But what I want to make sure is that ours is protected here, regardless of what cultures come in here. We recognise all other people's cultures, as we do when we go to other countries, we recognise," he added.

Communities are created when everyone shares their cultural standpoint and learns about one another, added the second-term TD.

However, he reiterated his view that Irish culture "needs to be protected", stating that five million people live in Ireland now, up from three million.

Mr O’Donoghue continued: "That means the Irish people here could end up in a minority in years to come. So that's why I want our culture.

"By 2040, they want to increase this country to 10 million people. If we only had three million, and 10 million is the prediction for 2040, then you're a minority in our own country," he warned.

"We're not going to produce seven million people in this country ourselves, are we?. Then we become a minority in our own country. Protect all cultures. Protect our own and we can all live together happily and gracefully," Mr O'Donoghue argued.

He said: "Whether you're urban or rural and all the cultures of Ireland, we want someone that will represent our culture in this country, so that it's not obliterated.

The County TD insisted he welcomes other cultures, "100%".

Mr O'Donoghue said when people travel abroad, they have to respect different rules and norms.

Using Dubai as an example, he stated that you could not enter some mosques unless you were covered up.